Sam Mitchell was named Chief Executive Officer and Director of Valvoline effective September 2016. He has led the Valvoline business for the past 18 years and over that time has gained extensive knowledge of the Valvoline business and the automotive maintenance products and services markets. As our CEO, Mr. Mitchell has significant experience and knowledge in the areas of executive leadership, business operations, mergers and acquisitions, finance and accounting, manufacturing, safety, risk oversight, and corporate governance.

Mr. Mitchell joined Ashland in 1997 as Director of Marketing for Valvoline’s brand management group. In 1999, he was named Vice President of Marketing, and in 2000, he was named Vice President and General Manager of Valvoline’s do-it-yourself (DIY) retail business. He became President of Valvoline and Vice President of Ashland in 2002. In 2011, Mitchell was named Senior Vice President of Ashland, while retaining his responsibilities for Valvoline. Prior to joining Valvoline, he held brand and category management leadership positions at The Clorox Company for eight years.

A Michigan native, Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Miami University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He also is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council. From 2006 to 2012, he served on the board of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. Mr. Mitchell is active in the Lexington community, working with Young Life, Lexington Leadership Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.